Match Preview: Braintree Town v Tranmere Rovers
By Louise Formston
August 13 2015
As the new football season gets into full flow, Louise Formston returns with the first match preview of the new campaign, looking ahead to Saturday's trip to Braintree....
This weekend sees Tranmere Rovers travel to Essex to take on Braintree Town as they aim to make it three wins out of three. After a superb winning start that has seen Rovers already climb to second in the table, Braintree instead find themselves down at the wrong end after failing to register a point in either of their first two games. Braintree’s season started with a 1-0 loss away to Rovers’ local rivals Chester before suffering a 3-1 defeat at home on Tuesday to Lincoln City. Rovers’ convincing win over Gateshead on Tuesday night has them pegged as firm favourites to win Saturday’s match (10/11 to win with SkyBet).
Previous Meetings:
There is only one previous meeting between the two sides, and it’s relatively recent – November 2012. The teams met in the first round of the FA Cup, with Braintree having knocked out Lowestoft Town in the Fourth Qualifying Round and Rovers sitting top of League One under Ronnie Moore. The game was due to be played the first weekend of November but was called off due to a waterlogged pitch and replayed the following Tuesday, complete with ITV coverage.
Goals from Joe Thompson, Cole Stockton and Max Power saw Rovers come away with a 3-0 win and saw them play Chesterfield at home in the next round in December. Three players who started that game still remain at Braintree (Matt Paine, Daniel Sparks and captain Kenny Davis) whilst Cole Stockton and Jake Kirby are still with Rovers
Injuries and Suspensions:
Having missed Rovers’ previous game and the majority of pre-season, James Norwood is still a doubt ahead of Saturday’s game although during Tuesday’s post match Brabin expected him to be assessed over the coming days. Liam Ridehalgh was substituted on Tuesday after putting in one of his best displays in a Tranmere shirt (one goal and two assists in 45 minutes) but is expected to return to action on Saturday. Marcus Holness made his return to competitive football on Tuesday after being out since January.
Braintree Town will be without defender Mitch Brundle on Saturday after he was sent off during their game against Lincoln City.
The Opposition Dugout:
Braintree manager Danny Cowley, only appointed in May, will be hoping Saturday gives Braintree the chance to get those all important first points on the board. Having joined from Concord Rangers, Cowley will be looking to emulate the success of his predecessor Alan Devonshire who guided Braintree to three top half finishes in four seasons before turning down a new contract at the start of the summer.
Cowley however is not without his own success, having overseen three promotions and six trophy wins in eight years at Rangers. Braintree Town openly expressed his main target this season will be keeping them in the National League, after they finished 14th last season. Aside from managing Braintree, Cowley is also head of P.E at an Essex school, and chose his brother Nicky as his number two at Braintree after their successful working relationship at Concord Rangers.
One to Watch:
Will Norris (22) - English
Goalkeeper Will Norris will be the man charged with stopping Rovers scoring another four this weekend. Having joined Braintree on loan from Cambridge United the 22 year-old is already an experienced keeper and has started both of Braintree’s games this season, albeit conceding 4 in the process.
Norris made a couple of starts for Cambridge towards the end of last season, including their final game against Burton Albion. The previous season, Norris was Cambridge’s number one from January through to April, during their promotion campaign from the conference. Come Saturday, Norris will be keen to gain his first clean sheet of the season and end Rovers’ winning run.
Around the League:
Cheltenham vs Southport: After falling out of the football league with Rovers, Cheltenham take on neighbours Southport this weekend. Both teams are still without their first win of the season and I’m sure will be hoping to change that this weekend.
Halifax vs Torquay: Before heading to Prenton Park next Tuesday, Halifax will play host to Torquay as they hope to grab their first points of the season. Torquay have had a mixed start to the season with one win and one loss so far.
My Starting XI:
Davies
Ihiekwie Sutton Hogan Hill
Harris Jennings Maynard Ridehalgh
Mangan Stockton
Why change a winning formula? Whilst I still don’t think Ihiekwie is a right back, and we should look for a more permanent solution, he’s proving he’s reliable there so far. Stockton has already received a fair bit of criticism from fans this season but Brabin has obviously spotted something that he likes and wants him in the team. Although yet to score (our defenders apparently have that covered), Stockton can be asset to the team, and if it’s not working I’m sure Margetts will happily come on and show him how it’s done!
Gary Brabin's Pre-Match Thoughts
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Sounded like a dire affair with both teams struggling to produce anything spectacular.
Hopefully we can get back to winning ways at home on Tuesday.
Find it very puzling how an unfit Norwood gets the nob over a younger and fitter Jonny Margetts?
Quote:pez
Find it very puzling how an unfit Norwood gets the nob over a younger and fitter Jonny Margetts?
If Norwood is getting "the nob", there must be some extra special activities, some players are allowed to participate in after training sessions.
Brabin must indeed have his favourites
.Then I ate his Liver.......... with some baked beans and a can of coke.
Quote:Matt34Quote:pez
Find it very puzling how an unfit Norwood gets the nob over a younger and fitter Jonny Margetts?
If Norwood is getting "the nob", there must be some extra special activities, some players are allowed to participate in after training sessions.
Brabin must indeed have his favourites
